Oh, Los Angeles... it's always bittersweet being here. I moved here in 1997. The year of my divorce, the death of my father, my record label dropping me, my publishing deal being rescinded, my dog dying... in retrospect you couldn't have written a more intense sequence of events. Well... I guess that's always arguable! (I did fall in love too.)

The topper of the maudlin list? We were all convinced my mother was "not long for this world" - as she would have put it. Skin cancer.

In 1999 she moved in with me for a year. My play "My Mother Has Four Noses" covers some of what happened in that time. There were awful, harrowing stretches, and there were also times when her humor and spirit just stopped me in my tracks. She restored ME. Her incredible resilience, and love.... I know how lucky I am.

Needless to say, each time I'm here, those feelings flood back. Our mother daughter schtick - (we were partners in her wacky show) - and the sticky impasses of each of us holding our respective ground over the larger questions. 

We did a little workshop of "4 Noses" Sunday evening. My first time trying the show "off book." I was terrified when I started, but the audience was stellar. They got the 'funny' - they got the 'tragic absurdity' - I keep saying this, but it's true. I am so grateful for those of you who are supporting in myriad ways the development of this story. It feels precious, in the best way, and I can't thank you enough for your kindnesses in this long process.

I was supposed to begin mixing my new record this week while I was here. But it turns out Bruce Springsteen needed some time with my mentor and champion Bob Clearmountain. And when Bruce calls, we all listen!! So we will now be mixing in May. 

I will try edit together some clips of the "reading" to share with you all soon. Meanwhile, tickets are on sale for the Torrington, CT DEBUT of "4 Noses" June 29!!!

Til then, Thanks so much for your patience. 

This is how I get ready for the show... I am, after all, my mother's daughter. 

JB